Girona 1 - 4 Real Madrid: LaLiga Santander, match report, goals
They may not have had everything their own way but two penalties and two well-worked finishes ensured that Lopetegui returns to the capital with another win.
Girona vs Real Madrid: match report
It may have only been matchday 2 but with all the background noise that has come with Madrid's summer, this was a game that carried plenty significance. And two goals from Karim Benzema, as well as those from Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos made sure it was a satisfactory night in Catalonia for the capital boys.
Right from the off the pattern of the game took shape. Los Blancos would have much of the ball but would rarely be in possession without a red-and-white shirt in very close attention. This resulted in a number of errors and Girona were quick to take advantage when they were in control, more often than not targeting Madrid's left-back area. Whether Eusebio felt that Marcelo wasn't at his best, or whether the plan was to expose the space he left, was unclear, but the tactic worked.
On the 17th minute Borja Garcia struck. The ball reached him near the penalty spot and rather than shoot first time, dropped the shoulder and then struck hard and high into the top right corner. Precision finish. Madrid upped the tempo a little, but the goal allowed Girona to drop back a few yards and make space even harder to find, all the time looking to expose the white defence at any opportunity.
Chances were being made but few of the clear variety, until some last ditch defending from Girona allowed the ball to break loose in their area. Marco Asensio was first to it and was tripped by a late lunge. Penalty! Up stepped the captain and another successful Panenka for the collection.
That was what Madrid needed. Both teams came out for the second half after a hard-fought first 45, and the visitors slowly started to turn the screw. A second penalty, again made by Asensio, was this time converted expertly by Benzema and the hosts' fight seemed to leave them as the hour mark ticked over. Bale was lively for much of the game and added to his season's tally with a neat finish after running on to a delightful Isco pass, and then the Welshman turned provider for Benzema's second.
Eusebio can be pleased with much of his team's performance - a first half that at times had the hallmarks of repeating their victory in the same fixture last season - but over the piece he'll have few complaints over the rightful winner. Lopetegui will know that there is still plenty of work to do with this group if he is to challenge the best in LaLiga and Europe, but there were enough positives to take forward, most notably the impact of Asensio and Benzema. And his bench offers options that few clubs can boast.
Girona vs Real Madrid: how it happened
Girona vs Real Madrid: match preview
It's matchday two and a fixture that brings back some painful memories in the minds of those connected with Real Madrid. In October 2017, a 2-1 reverse by the Blanquivermell was the point when Zinedine Zidane and his players looked at the chase for the league title as a lost cause. A similar result tonight will not see the Liga towel thrown in by any means, however, for new manager Julen Lopetegui, it would mean an increase in the already pressured position he finds himself in.
Girona: team news
Opening up their campaign on the first Friday of the season ended in a respectable goalless draw against Real Valladolid for tonight's hosts. Portu was one of the scorers in this fixture last year and along with Roberts and Garcia looked lively. They'll likely be the main threats again. Stuani is a doubt for this high-profiled encounter but will hope to take his place in the XI.
Real Madrid: team news
A comfortable 2-0 home win got the season off to a perfect start but Lopetegui knows that bigger challenges lie ahead of that Getafe stroll. He also has personnel questions to answer: Courtois or Keylor, being an obvious one, but also how to best use Isco, Asensio, Modric and Ceballos (the latter most likely to start on the bench). Casemiro should be back from the start while Bale and Benzema asked to provide the cutting edge when it counts.